When water freezes inside a pipe, the ice expands and can cause the pipe to burst. A burst pipe can lead to fast and furious flooding on your property! If you’ve ever had a pipe burst during the frigid months, you understand why it’s imperative to avoid freezing pipes this winter and every winter.
Pipe insulation wrap lowers their exposure to the elements, reducing the chance of disaster and saving you energy costs by preventing hot water pipes from losing their heat. Read on to learn how to insulate outside water pipes from freezing so you can enjoy peace of mind whenever the mercury drops.
Which Pipes Need Insulation?
Knowing which pipes need insulation is helpful before you learn how to insulate water pipes. Most homeowners will assume they only need outside water line pipe insulation for plumbing and faucets outside the home. But the truth is, any pipe in your home that is exposed and not well insulated, such as those in unheated spaces like exterior walls, garages, attics, basements, and the floor cavities above unheated crawl spaces, will also benefit from insulation.
How to Insulate Water Pipes
How to insulate water pipes outside and inside can depend on which ones you’re covering and your preferred insulation methods. For most insulation tasks, you’ll need to have the following materials:
- Duct tape
- Expanding spray foam
- Foam caulk rope
- Insulation of choice, such as pipe sleeve, pipe wrap, foam pipe insulation, and outdoor faucet cover
Foam Pipe Sleeves
Out of all insulation for pipes available for homeowners, foam sleeves are certainly one of the easiest options! We recommend them for any long, straight pipes you need to cover. You can typically purchase the sleeves in six-foot increments and a range of diameters to suit various pipe sizes.
Even if you’re not an expert, you can follow these steps to install insulation for outdoor pipes and uninsulated plumbing inside your home:
- Position the sleeve along the pipe
- Open the sleeve slit and cover the pipe
- Seal the seam with the provided adhesive or duct tape
- Cut the sleeve to fit the length of pipe
Pipe Wrap Insulation
Pipe wrap is simple to install and recommended for insulating small lengths of pipe. It comes in various materials, including:
- Flexible foam with rubber backing tape
- Foam-and-foil pipe insulation tape
- Bubble-film pipe wrap
- Foil-backed natural cotton wrap
- Rubber pipe insulation tape
To install pipe-wrap insulation tape:
- Attach the loose end of the insulating wrap on one end of the pipe
- Wrap it around the pipe in spiraling loops, covering the entire pipe
- Cut the end off once sufficient water pipe insulation is in place
Outdoor Faucet Covers
Now that you know how to insulate pipes, it can be worth thinking about your outdoor faucets. A hard foam faucet cover is a simple way to protect outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures and falling ice chunks from your roof and eaves. Most hardware stores sell faucet covers, or you can order them online.
Here’s how to install your faucet cover:
- Detach your hose from the faucet and put it in a safe spot for the winter
- Place the rubber loop around the spigot
- Position the cover over the spigot
- Tighten the slide lock to hold the cover in place - make sure there are no air gaps
Benefits of Insulation for Water Pipes
Insulating water pipes may not be something you’ve considered in the past. However, you may realize it’s worth your while when you learn you can experience the following benefits:
- As you can prevent heat loss as water travels from your water heater, you can save on energy costs
- A reduced risk of pipes freezing in cold weather
- More control over condensation
- A potentially reduced risk of water damage around your pipes
- Foam insulation for pipes can prevent insects from being attracted to the condensation on exposed pipes
- The water waiting in the pipes will be kept at the right temperature, saving water
- Enjoy more energy efficiency in your home
- Reduced risk of burns caused by exposed pipes
- More steady pipe temperatures, which can potentially reduce the risk of damage caused by pipe contraction and expansion
- Less noise from pipes clanking
- Value addition for house sales
Additional Winter Pipe Protection Tips
No matter what type of interior or exterior pipe insulation you choose, keep an eye on your pipes during the winter months. If possible, stop the water flow to outdoor faucets and open the spigots to drain the pipes before the first hard freeze. If you can’t turn off the outdoor water supply, run your spigots occasionally through the winter to double-check and ensure the water pressure is normal.
Count on Mr. Rooter Plumbing® for All Your Indoor and Outdoor Pipe Insulation Needs
Do you want to learn more about PVC pipe insulation? Are you unsure about how to achieve insulated water pipes? You may have even waited too long to explore insulation, and now you’re dealing with burst pipes. Whatever your plumbing problem, Mr. Rooter Plumbing® is here to help. Contact our team today for a no-obligation estimate.
